CHARACTERIZATION AND ANTIFUNGAL ACTIVITY OF THE ESSENTIAL OIL OF TAGETES MINUTA FRONT OF THE CRYPTOCOCCUS SPP. ISOLATES FROM THE ENVIRONMENT

Objective: This study evaluated the chemical composition and antifungal activity of the essential oil of inflorescences of Tagetes minuta (EOTM) belonging to the Asteraceae family against Cryptococcus spp. This microorganism is the encapsulated yeast-like and is recognized as an opportunistic fungal pathogen of great clinical importance. Methods: The inflorescences of T. minuta were collected in Itaara/RS, Brazil, in April 2013, and identification of the components was performed by GC-MS. The species of fungi are environmental isolates of Cryptococcus spp. identified by direct examination with India ink, urease test, culture and agar Niger medium canavanine glycine bromothymol blue, and all fungi isolates were confirmed by the use of automated panel MicroScan ® Rapid Yeast ID (SIEMENS ® ). ATCC strains of C. gattii , C. neoformans and C. grubii belonging to the Microbiology Laboratory of the Centro Universitario Franciscano of Santa Maria/RS, Brazil were also used. The antifungal activity of the EOTM was evaluated by microdilution. Results: Most strains of Cryptococcus spp . were sensitive to EOTM even at low concentrations, except when the microorganism in question was Cryptococcus grubii which the essential oil showed a weak antifungal action. Conclusion: The EOTM appears as promising in prospecting for new drugs for the treatment of cryptococcosis. Keywords: Cryptococcosis, Natural products, Antifungal, Marigold